Improvement in machines for tapping mains



E. F. PLIMLEY.

I Machines fur Tapping Mains. Ne.l53,606.

Patented my 28, 1874.-

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UNITED STATES PATENT CFFIOE.

GEORGE F. PLIMLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR TAPPING MAINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,606, dated July 28, 1874; application filed July 17, 1874.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. PLIMLEY, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machine for Tapping Mains; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a machine for tapping water-mains without Wasting water, and obviating the necessity of shutting off the main water-gates on the main pipes, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to de scribe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, in which- Figure l is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of my machine. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of the same, and Fig. 4 is a view of one of the sliding journals.

A represents an oblong box or chamber, open at the bottom and formed so as to fit on top of a water-pipe, to which it is to be firmly attached by means of a chain, B. From this chamber extends a frame, 0, in which the working mechanism is held. In the top of the chamber A is a circular opening, over which is placed a plate or disk, D, held in place by means of an annular ring or flange, a, secured to the top of the chamber, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In this plate, at equal distances from the center, and on a line therewith, are inserted two sleeves or tubes for holding-one the drilling-tool, E, and the other a holder, G, in which the stop-cock H is to be held. At a suitable height in the frame 0 is a cross-bar, G with nut in the center for the passage of the hollow screwsleeve I, provided, at its upper end, with a hand-wheel, J, for turning the same. Through the hollow sleeve I passes the drill-shaft K, the upper end of which passes through a frame, 0 and is provided with a bevel-gear wheel, L. P a crank-shaft, having its bearings in the frame 0 and passing through vertical slots (1 in the sides of the main frame 0. This shaft is provided with a bevel-Wheel, It, gearing with the wheel L, thereby imparting motion to the drill-shaft.

For tapping water-mains the machine is fastened to the water-pipe by means of the chain B, and the drillshaft K being lowered by the screw-sleeve I onto the upper end of the drill, the hole is easily drilled by turning the crankshaft B. When the hole is drilled at ac, the hollow screw I is run up and the drill raised, then the plate D is turned halfway around, which brings the stop-cock holder G directly under the end of the drillshaft, and the stop-cock H directly over the hole w. By now turning down the screw I the drill-shaft is connected with the holder G, and by turning the crank chaft P the stop-cock H is screwed into the hole at 00.

By this operation only the water that fills the box or chamber A is wasted.

The revolving "plate D is provided with stops 2', coming in contact with a similar stop on the flange a, to limit its movement and cause the drill and stopcock holder to come directly under the drill-shaft.

It will be noticed that when the water is in the chamber A the pressure thereof upon the plate D causes friction only against the flange a. This friction, being against a very small surface, does not in any way hinder the movement of the plate when desired.

The movable frame 0 carrying the crankshaft, gear-wheels, and drill-shaft, moves up and down with the hollow screw I, being at tached to the sliding journal-boxes cl in the vertical slots cl, through which the shaft P passes, so that when the drill is raised the holder G may be turned with disk D. to bring the holder directly under shaft K, so that the same power that drills the hole screws in the cock H, requiring nothing to be moved but the plate D with its attachments.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The sliding frame 0 screw I, shaft K, and the cross-bar in combination with chamber A, having circular opening, the annular flange a, and the rotatable holder-plate D all as and. for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the slotted. main frame 0 and chamber A with cross-bar C hollow screw I, drill-shaft K, movable frame 0 crank-shaft P, and gear-wheels R L, all substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. PLIMLE Y.

Witnesses:

J. W. THATCHER, W. M. GEARHART. 

